This is near Troyes. Basic accn (5o euros for a triple) but just off the motorway. Use it when hitting the Alps over Christmas. Close to a supermarket and fuel, an american style restaurant and a Mcd's (if you have to).

You could do no better than stop off at Nancy. 3/2 of your journey cracked, a sound night out in an ancient city and gentle but impressive leg the next day. If you get your admin right you could book in at the Maison du Cadre which, although not quite Place Saint Augustin standard, is one of the better ones. Enjoy.

Any Campanile (www.campanile.com) - there are several in the Burgundy region. There is one in Beaune (in the heart of the wine region and a very interesting town) convenient for the town centre or there are two in Macon. Good rates and accomodation and an excellent and reasonable restaurant in each hotel (usually where the local French eat!).

Get the nipper started early, introduce him to the world's oldest profession on the Rue St Denis. And while nipper his getting his oats with one of Paris' ropiest streetwalkers you and the missus can shoot up in the Bois de Boulogne.

Get the nipper started early, introduce him to the world's oldest profession on the Rue St Denis. And while nipper his getting his oats with one of Paris' ropiest streetwalkers you and the missus can shoot up in the Bois de Boulogne.

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That has made me laugh. I was in Paris this weekend and walked up that very street at around 1500 heading away from Place du Chatelet and did indeed see the worst brasses I have ever laid (sic) eyes on.

I commented to Ms BoS, who is a local and then tried to imagine the state of the punters...............